Lula reacts to Trump's tariffs and calls on Celac to resist external interference: “Trade wars have no winners”

247 – President Lula criticized this Wednesday (9) the unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States, under President Donald Trump. He spoke at the opening of the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

"Arbitrary tariffs destabilize the economy and drive up prices. Trade wars have no winners," said Lula, after Brazil was subjected to a 10% tariff on its exports to the U.S.

In his speech, Lula also denounced the “interference of old and new powers” and warned that the region’s autonomy is under threat. “Attempts to revive old hegemonies hover over our region.”

According to Lula, regional unity is key to protecting countries in the face of the emerging global scenario. “If we remain still, we risk falling into a new sphere of influence and a new division of the world,” he stated.

“We must set aside our differences. It’s essential to recover the plural and democratic spirit that created Unasur and Celac,” he added. “It is imperative that Latin America and the Caribbean redefine their place in the new global order under discussion.”

Lula also criticized the deportation of migrants from the United States under inhumane conditions. “Migrants are criminalized and deported in degrading conditions,” he said.

Finally, Lula advocated for a woman to be elected as the next secretary-general of the United Nations.